Frankford Arsenal Co-Ax Clone?

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Doublehelix

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I did not see this posted anywhere on here, so I thought I would start a new thread.

Looks like Franford Arsenal has created a press that looks surprisingly "similar" to the Forster Co-Ax. Obviously different, but you have to take a second look when you first see it.

From the picture, it looks like nothing extends below the bench like the Co-Ax does.

They seat the dies in little square blocks instead of the Forster-style rings, and there does not appear to be any on-press priming.

Looks interesting, but at $200 I am not sure if I would buy it over the Co-Ax.

We'll see what the reviews say, but this is interesting to say the least.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/8...H2AF0BqcqRrNbiFViiiT8nqbCu7VC9SsGfVVq3OrRGPOY
 
not even listed on the manufacturer web site yet... Battenfield Technologies Inc.

I wonder if it will show up after shot show...
 
Looks good except for those blocks. I'll bet that they will be spendy and you will be needing a bunch of them. I'm also not to happy about having setscrews bearing on the die threads.
 
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I wonder if it is made in the USA.

Good question, I'd like to know that as well.
 
It looks very interesting. Waiting to see how it does in the wild.

When I first looked at it (pictures) I noticed that it was much like the RCBS Summit in that it didn't extend below the bench top, it doesn't offer on-press priming, and the die head moved on fixed rails...as opposed to the Co-Ax where the rails moved through the press.

It's spent primer handling system is nicer than the Summit, but not as clean as the Co-Ax...you have to pull out the box/tray to empty primers.

I like how it uses curved linkage arms like those offered by Inline Fabrication.

Unless the die Box/Inserts are really inexpensive, it might be a deal breaker. Depending on the cost difference between them and lock rings, it wouldn't take many to make up the difference in cost between presses
 
Probably a good press. I don't get the reason for the die blocks rather than lock rings. Patent infringement concerns or just another product to sell?
For a new press that will last a few lifetimes I'd go with the Forster for $100-$110 more. I bought my coax on ebay for about $200 and they can still be found for about that price.
 
I am not a mechanical engineer to analyze it but if it has very high leverage and good alignment, it would be a reasonable case forming press for wildcatting.

Back when a free Englishman might own a pistol, there was a small British reloading equipment industry competing with stuff imported from the Colonies.
One was Prime, whose press was claimed to be able to form 8x33 from 8x57 or .30-06 one on the downstroke, one on the upstroke.
 
Haven’t seen a clear pic of the shell holder. Is it floating like the Co-ax? It looks like a conventional shell holder. Pass if so.
 
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